"S" pipe fitment

Although I would like to utilize the "S" pipe system on my '72 Commando rebuild I have had trouble with the accuracy of the headpipe bends on a couple of pairs that I have tried.

I see that Andover lists them as available. Also, there is Viking Exhaust, out of NZ who make a stainless set, but those are pretty dear!

Is there a recommended source for an accurately bent set of these pipes?

have you checked out what John at Motoparts has in stock? (southwest end of Edmonton)

Not wanting to split hairs here, but I don’t think Viking pipes are stainless. I’ve no idea how good his S pipes are but I had a Legend system for a T160 from Paul at Viking and the fit, and overal quality, was outstanding.

But having said all that, in your shoes I’d probably go to AN...

850commando said:

have you checked out what John at Motoparts has in stock? (southwest end of Edmonton)

Click to expand...

John has Wassell pipes, which he will let me trial fit, but I think that was the brand I had trouble with last time.

He says that Andover does not use Wassell for their pipes.

Also realize that the front mudguard on any newer than 70 bike will foul in the S type headers under hard braking. Outside that, even my original S pipes didn't fit that well and I always end up playing with them over time.

Thumbs up on the Viking system.

there is currently a set of SS pipes for sale in kijiji in ont. might be worth a check if they also have any other pipes...

Brian
i have s type pipes on my mk2a and yes they will foul on the header under serious braking but i never noticed at the time , only later when cleaning it ! ,but the left pipe broke completely in half at the head , fitted new used pipe and same problem again , had this one tig welded and so far ok , people have suggested not over tightening the rose and s pipes were known for this problem , time will tell i guess , good looking system though,
good luck , Colin

DogT said:

Also realize that the front mudguard on any newer than 70 bike will foul in the S type headers under hard braking. Outside that, even my original S pipes didn't fit that well and I always end up playing with them over time.

Click to expand...

Exactly what I've heard from others. The originals were tricky and ultimately dumped by Norton due to early breakages. the official solution was to fit Roadster pipes...
I have some originals and some A-N ones and the originals do fit better than the A-N ones, which I think are Toga (pipes are stamped N99)

first 3 photos are the originals...







And the next 3 are new A-N - note the lack of parallel gap between the pipes; they're actually pressing fairly hard against each other at the front.





https://www.flickr.com/photos/137820148@N07/46355467102/in/album-72157662054100718/

mine fit well , i have an equal gap but as second hand no idea where they came from , the system has two heat shields per pipe , do they all ? ,
Colin

colin davie said:

mine fit well , i have an equal gap but as second hand no idea where they came from , the system has two heat shields per pipe , do they all ? ,
Colin

Click to expand...

Yes

You could mount them this way --

I had a set of Hookers my wife got me one time that were S type, maybe in the late 70's. But they went on the other side and down below the frame kinda like the roadsters. But the with the silencers I never could get the carbs working with them. I sold them to someone on the forum a long time ago. They also dragged on the ground. Silencers were straight through glass packs.

My originals cracked at the shortest pipe curve right in the front at maybe 5K miles. I brazed it back together, but they also beat up the 1/2" iso nut on the LS and the LS panel, they would shake loose easily with the original clamps. I found some 'moose' clamps for the ones I have now, they're tight. The dogleg bracket is also a weak point, mine cracked right at the sharp bend. Plus the shields stress and fall off, and then you burn your leg. Count on it when you're starting it sometime.

Gotta love it.